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Best Mexican Street Corn Salad - Secrets for Perfect Flavor Elotes Recipe

This authentic Mexican street corn salad captures all the vibrant flavors of traditional elotes in an easy-to-serve salad format. Perfect for summer gatherings and BBQs, it delivers the perfect balance of creamy, tangy, and spicy notes with grilled corn, cotija cheese, and a chili lime dressing.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 5 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Calories: 280
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Ingredients
  • 6 ears fresh corn, husked
  • 1/2 cup mayonnaise
  • 1/2 cup Mexican crema or sour cream
  • 1 cup crumbled cotija cheese
  • 1/4 cup finely chopped fresh cilantro
  • 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
  • 1 teaspoon chili powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
  • 1 small red onion, finely diced
  • 1 jalapeño, seeded and minced
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • Lime wedges for serving

Method
 

Instructions
  1. Preheat your grill to medium-high heat. Grill the corn, turning occasionally, until kernels are lightly charred and cooked through, about 10-12 minutes. Alternatively, you can roast the corn in a 400°F oven for 20-25 minutes.
  2. Let the corn cool slightly, then carefully cut the kernels off the cobs using a sharp knife. Place the kernels in a large mixing bowl.
  3. In a separate bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, Mexican crema, lime juice, chili powder, smoked paprika, and cayenne pepper if using.
  4. Add the dressing to the corn along with the crumbled cotija cheese, chopped cilantro, diced red onion, and minced jalapeño. Gently toss to combine.
  5. Season with salt and black pepper to taste. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld together.
  6. Serve chilled or at room temperature, garnished with extra cotija cheese, cilantro, and lime wedges on the side.

Notes

Grill corn for maximum smoky flavor; use fresh corn when in season; adjust jalapeño and cayenne to preferred spice level; salad tastes better after sitting for a few hours as flavors develop.